Smyrna times., 1887-09-14
PHYSICAL CULTURE.
DEVELOPING ONE SET OF MuscL LEs
AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS.
Pedestrianism, Rowing, Baseball, Tennis
and Running-The Sensible and Ply
siologicaI way-Horseback Exercise.
Field Sports Very HealthfuI.

Field Sports Very HealthfuI.
am a strong believer in physical cuI-
ture, but physical culture is something
entirely different from outdoor sports as
they are carried on at present. Ameri-
cans do not take enough exercise. MANY
patients that come to the doctor need out
door exercise more than they do medicine.
AS some one has said the dyspepsia from
which man suffers is Oftentimes more in
his legs than in his stomach.
The great difficulty with our sports is
that they develop one set of muscles at
the expense OF the others A man who
trains for speciality is trained only in
the parts of the body brought chiefly into
play in that particular sport or recrea-
ton. A tennis player trains in one wav.
runner in another, while a bOatsman
goes through an entirely different course
from either. Each of these athletes is
strong in one direction, but he has neg
lected general muscular exercises for the
sake Of developing a special locality. It
will be found that the man who is phv-
sically strong in special sport is weak
III some part of his body. A man, for in
stance, who intends to be runner will
so train as to develop the muscles of his
legs; but he will reduce the weight of his
body above his legs in order to carry less
weight.
DANGERS OF POPULAR SPORTS.
Pedestrianism is wholesome whom in
dulged in for pleasure, but is bad in con-
tests. The professional pedestrian finally
becomes thoroughly broken up: the stom-
ach and general system are exhausted bv
too much eXertiOn Rowing is one of the
best exercises if indulged in moderately.
but an Oarsman can row in contest until
entirely exhausted and not know if until
ne IS taken from his boat paralyzed, so to
speak.
Baseball is full of danger, especially To
the pitcher. So true is this that the ssbase-
ball pitchers arm" as well as the 'tennis
arm are recognized in the medical pro-
fession as special diseases. The exercise
in baseball is very violent and sooner or
later causes overstrain.
Tennis is violent exercise and is Iiable
to be carried too far.
Running is too much of an outburst IN
be Of service in general way, and is only
good on account Of the previous training
necessary to follow it up. 1t carries its
own remedy with it in the natural giving
out of the legs before the rest Of the body
is exhausted.
Training should bring up the general
physical status to a point that will enable
IL TO endure its utmost and with inst n
little to spare for the push Of the urgent
moment. There should be lust enough
strength left to make the finish better
than the start-to break the record of the
individual, so to speak, and leave him in
better physical condition than before.
The sensible and physiological way for
a man to take outdoor sport is. acting ON
medical authority, to develop by special
exercises the parts Of his body that are
weak. If man take any pride in svm
metrically rounded physique he sbouId
give his whole attention to the organs that
are weak.
HORSEBACK EXERCIsE-HUNTING.
1t is surprising to me that horseback
exercise is not more INDUCED in than IL is.
Many young men spend enough money on
their vices or fOllies to enable them to
keep horse. would suggest that for
those who cannot own a horse riding cIubs
might be formed. Let the horses be used
by the members Of clubs Just rs boats are
used by boating clubs. The expense of
keeping the horses under such conditions.
when divided up among members. would
be small, and the horseback exercise
cOuld DC varied with the more vigorous
sports in which young men now indulge.
In that way the strength of the body
would be more equalized. The outskirts
of New York and Brooklyn furnish many
lanes and roads through beautiful country.
and the riders could not fail to enioy
themselves.
l do not know Of any outdoor exercise
so suitable for men as the sports Of the
field. Hunting is O healthful and bene-
hcial sport. There is Just enough excite
ment about it to make the exercise You
take beneficial. While you are walking
you are thinking about something of in
terest; while your body is being exercised
your brain gets q stimulus. Hunting is
good for the well and good for many who
are sick. / have known invalids sent to
the south with the advice that they sbould
go shooting to come back restored In
health.
The man who combines hunting in the
beld with horseback riding, as is done In
the south, has the best kind Of Outdoop
recreation. Field sports are for young
meni the older ones must be content with
fishing or following the rabbit Fleet
spier, N. !. in Tho Epoch, ti l7Fl